CABLE THEFT - 01 JANUARY 2021 – BOSCHOFF STREET – FEEDBACK AND FOLLOW-UP

LETTER TO THE MUNICIPAL MANAGER - MALUTI-A-PHOFUNG

We would like to bring to your attention that 21 households and 1 business (and not counting those businesses operating from home during Covid lockdown) have been without electricity since 01 January 2021 from 19:30 and we received feedback that electricity was restored on 04 January 2021 at 19:54.  
 
The feedback and complaints we received on the progress of the replacement and repairs from the affected residents:

GENERAL LACK OF INFORMATION AND UPDATES FROM MUNICIPALITY ON PROGRESS OF REPAIRS DURING THE THREE DAYS OF NO ELECTRICITY:

Residents were very unhappy with the general lack of information for the duration that they were without electricity from Municipality’s side.  Simply not having ETA’s or keeping residents uninformed on the progress of repairs is totally unacceptable. This town boasts with the most extraordinary Aware and neighbourhood groups which are managed by very eager volunteers who enjoy helping fellow residents by supplying crucial information in a timely mannerism as they receive updates. Through these awesome groups, neighbourhood watches are also informed and will act in accordance to the information received, which can possibly reduce theft of cables too. Most of your employees are in direct contact with these admins and there is absolutely no reason for not sharing information and ensuring that residents are informed at all times. Your Facebook page was also not updated from the Municipality’s side during this time and we were not able to find any information on there in order to try and help while our fellow residents were without electricity for three consecutive days.  The day and age of being left in the dark with no information is long gone over. Not sharing crucial information in the modern world is simply unacceptable.

TRIPPED SWITCH

One of the residents within the Boschoff Street area informed us that there were stories circulating from your technicians on field that some of the homes in this region were not at all affected by the cable theft itself, but rather a tripped circuit breaker.
 
We find it difficult not to believe this, as we do have complaints from our members that this has indeed happened during December in other areas around town.  It is outrageous to think that some residents would have been left in the dark for three consecutive days for a simple little thing such as a tripped circuit breaker! Do you realize that people suffer damages in food loss, loss in medications, stock loss (in the case of a business) and a higher risk of being burgled or attacked while there is no electricity? Do you know that you and your municipality can be held liable for damage and losses suffered by a resident or business due to negligence on your or your staff’s part?

HAS THE CABLE THEFT BEEN REPORTED TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE?

Residents would like to know the following:
 

1. Was this incident reported to the South African Police? (Please provide date and time?)
2. Is there proof that this has been done? (Please supply the case number.)
3. Will you be following up on this case and ensure that justice is served to the best of your capabilities?
4. Will you keep the residents informed on a regular basis on the progress of the case?

 
We trust that you will address the issues and questions mentioned in this letter with utmost urgency and we are looking to receiving answers and feedback from you soon.

 
Thank you.
 
 
Regards
 
 
 
HIT MANAGEMENT